Janeau (Poonal)
Know Your Dharma
Content Courtesy – Ganesh Kalyan
#ganeshamarkalam
Poonal
The sage of Kanchi, Mahaperiyava as he is fondly called by
many said marriages can be performed with just yellow thread, manjal, vetrilai
(betel leaves), paakku with pushpam. He reinforced simplicity in all that we
have to do as Brahmins, giving prominence to mantras. But we also invented Gold
and Silver poonal and a grand feast after Upanayanam!
Any human being is ordained to go through 16 rites of
passages, from conception in mother’s womb to his own last rites, Upanayanam
the 10th, means a passage to a sacred new vision. It means learning
to see things in right perspective, developing a desire to know the best way to
do things. The Brahmin embarks on a life of “sadhana” at that stage.
The three strands carry a meaning – as they rest over his
shoulder, heart and back - determination, courage, faith and commitment with
spirit of tolerance. They represent holy Trinity (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma) or
Gayatri, Saraswati and Savitri, culminating in a knot known as brahma mudichu
or knot. Poonal also signifies endless knowledge, no start or end to what he
has to learn. The knot says living beings will get back to where they started,
life’s purpose completed. The length of three strands of thread (96 times the
breadth of 4 fingers) is about his height symbolizing how he must commit spiritually
his whole being to the years ahead.
Most importantly, the three threads signify learning from
Teacher (Guru), parents (or ancestors) and scholars (written and spoken words).
Guided, inherent and acquired knowledge. The Yangyopaveet (yangyopaveetham or
poonal or Upanayanam) is a qualification conferred to perform Vedic rites. You can order
Poonal on the net or buy from several sources that sell pooja articles. Best if
you spin your own!
Start of vidhya (vidhyarambam) happens the very same day –
the boy’s father is 1st Guru. Gayatri Mantra is 1st
mantra. Only the upanayana boy can hear the all-pervasive mantra so the ritual
of dad reciting into his ears happens when both are shrouded in a cloth. The
unique experience of the boy when Bramopathesam is rendered cannot be described
in words. In olden days the boy leaves to gurukul for more. It is equally a
great sight to behold watching the boy reciting the abhivadhaya (mantra
introducing hmself to elders) and seeking their blessings.
A deer is considered purest form of living being, skin taken
from a deer that died naturally is needed for the Brahmin to sit upon and do
his daily chores. This isn’t possible in modern times; a very small piece of
deerskin is tied to poonal during upanayanam.
Amazing it is if you as Brahmin practice Sandhyavandanam,
the world oldest liturgy. 3 times every day during transition of time marked by
Sun’s passage he offers salutations - invokes name of Lord, performs breathing
exercises, purifies himself with mantras and rituals, seeks atonement for sins,
meditates, prays and salutes all deities and all directions. Some say there is
also tantric component to appease nine planets.
If a Brahmin boy does all anushtanam (his ordained chores)
dutifully, engages himself with his Guru, reads the scriptures – his time is
fully occupied in learning.
The 3 sacred threads he wears become 6 when he gets married,
when he takes responsibility of another person as his own.A controversy exists if a Brahmin has to wear 9 threads after his father’s death
or the third poonal - the riddle remains! Nevertheless, one has to take his
father’s responsibilities when he passes away.
Every year, social media pages burn hot for exact dates for
Upakarma. Some thrive on this drama – but very practice of Upakarma is exciting
– the Brahmin who vowed a life of humility and learning reinforces that vow
annually by changing the poonal. Many zillion years ago, the same day Lord
Vishnu recited the Vedas to Brahma who wrote it down meticulously because he
lost his copy. Well, if Brahma is learning, Upakarma signifies every Brahmin’s
desire to hear the vedas directly from Vishnu. Near Thirukoilur is Aadhi
Thiruvarangam a Vaishnavite shrine where they say this recital happened. The
temple has a very large statue of the reclining form of Vishnu.
Is Poonal only for Brahmins? Is poonal a symbol of wisdom to
be flaunted by Brahmins? Certainly not. Even Kshatriyas and Vaishyas wore
poonal. Anybody who wishes to embark on a quest to know and understand the Brahman
inside him can wear a poonal. Unfortunately, 200 years of British rule had managed
to vitiate the potent purpose of Upanayanam ceremony and during the same period
the true purpose and import have also been diluted.
There are of course rules. Wear it around your ears when in
bathroom. Change it every month, if broken do not repair it, get a new one. If
a Birth or Death occurs in family, change it. Never remove it. Do not tie keys
to it. Don’t use it for scratching your back.
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